From DIY to Construction: The Versatile Uses of Aggregates

Building projects of all kinds can only succeed with the help of specialist tools and materials. This is the case whether you’re erecting a skyscraper or putting up a new shelving unit, where having the right equipment to hand is essential for ensuring that the job can be completed to a high standard.

Aggregates are one kind of specialist material used throughout the construction industry, both for commercial and domestic projects. This is a broad category of resources, which includes gravel, sand and crushed concrete, where these primary materials are often core ingredients for construction initiatives and landscaping work.

Read on to find out more about aggregates of all kinds, with a look at how they can be used for a variety of essential projects.

Aggregates: A Brief Introduction

The term aggregates describes a group of building materials used for construction, landscaping and various other projects. These are typically coarse grained particulates, where large volumes tend to be bagged up and sold in bulk.

Natural Aggregates

Many aggregates are sourced from naturally occurring materials found beneath the earth’s surface, where these include limestone, sandstone and igneous rock types. These materials are processed to make them more versatile for construction purposes, where several key steps are usually undertaken to achieve this:

Extraction – Aggregates are usually extracted from quarries and underground deposits using specialist equipment. Sometimes this is achieved through blasting the rock, or through precise digging work.

Crushing – Large pieces of rock extracted from the quarry will then need to be broken down into more manageable sizes. They will be passed through a crusher to facilitate this, where different rock sizes can be specified depending on the material in question.

Common types of naturally occurring aggregates include gravel, sand, slate and crushed stone, where these can come in a variety of grain sizes and with different quality ratings.

Synthetic Aggregates

Some aggregates are manufactured during man-made processes, in comparison to natural aggregates which can be sourced directly from the earth. Popular synthetic aggregates include fly ash, slag and crushed plastic, where these are either recycled from other applications or produced as a byproduct.

For instance, slag is a commonly found byproduct of smelting, welding and combustion processes. Steel slag is produced when impurities are extracted from molten steel, whilst blast furnace slag is created during the reduction of iron ore.

How Are Aggregates Used?

Once aggregates have been extracted, screened and sorted, they will then be purchased by suppliers and building teams to be used across a range of projects. Some suppliers will deliver aggregates directly to a construction site, while other services require building teams to collect materials from a quarry area.

These versatile materials can be used across a wide range of commercial and domestic projects, where some of these applications are discussed below.

Commercial Applications

Commercial construction sites depend on aggregates for the completion of a variety of large infrastructure projects, where some top uses include:

Concrete

One of the main applications for aggregates is concrete production. Concrete is manufactured from a mixture of water, cement and varying quantities of aggregates, where it sets hard to create an incredibly durable surface. As such, concrete is essential for building foundations, bridges, pavements and other key installations.

Roads

Aggregates are also an essential component in road construction, where this is a common destination for materials such as crushed stone, gravel and slag. This is because aggregates can be used as an ingredient in asphalt production, a substance typically used to create hard-wearing road surfaces.

Railway Ballast

Railroad ballast is an essential component of the transport network, where these aggregates form the bed of rail tracks in order to support passing trains and to encourage proper drainage. Usually crushed stone or gravel is used for this purpose, where these rocks provide a durable base for the railway.

Drainage

Aggregates can be used for a wide range of drainage applications, making it easier for rainfall to filter through the soil with minimal flood risk. They may be used to create a French drain or to improve water retention during landscaping work, where coarse aggregates will be selected for applications where drainage is particularly poor.

Domestic Applications

Aggregates can also be used for a range of domestic tasks, where they serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose. Some of these applications include:

Driveways & Paths

Aggregates can be bought in bulk by homeowners to create new paths and driveways. For instance, gravel can be poured over a drive to create a durable surface, where these materials can provide better drainage conditions than a concrete drive.

More attractive pathways and stone walkways can also be created in the garden with coloured pebbles and other aesthetically pleasing aggregates.

Gardening

Aggregates can come in handy for a variety of domestic gardening applications, where these materials can be bought in small quantities for household projects. Materials such as crushed stone can be used in the garden to suppress weeds or to improve drainage, whilst gravel options can also work to enhance water features or to decorate potted plants.

DIY Concrete

Some DIY experts may feel comfortable mixing their own concrete in small amounts. This is a useful skill if you’re carrying out your own home renovations, where aggregates can be purchased in manageable volumes for this purpose. These concrete mixes may come in handy for repairing outdoor steps or for sealing up small cracks.

Erosion Control

Soil erosion can be a big risk factor for domestic properties, especially if a garden is exposed to the sea or to inclement weather. In these cases, aggregates can be used to create sturdy barriers and retaining walls in order to control the erosion process, helping to safeguard nearby properties.

On a smaller scale, aggregates such as crushed stone and gravel can be utilised around water features to prevent the erosion of surrounding soil deposits.

The Future Of Aggregates

As with many types of construction material, aggregate manufacturing can have a detrimental environmental impact. This is because lots of energy is required to extract rock from natural deposits, where sorting, screening and transportation can also produce large volumes of carbon emissions.

As such, recycled aggregates are becoming increasingly prevalent in the construction industry. This is when waste materials from building sites or demolition projects are repurposed as aggregates, contributing to a circular economy where energy is conserved.

Aggregate production is also being made more environmentally friendly with the introduction of low impact extraction processes. This is where quarrying is carried out with deliberate respect for local habitats and wildlife populations, helping to reduce the impact of aggregate extraction on the environment.

OBL Aggregates & Excavations: Hardcore Supplies For Your Next Project

We can supply you with a range of high quality construction aggregates, whether you’re looking for quality rubble, concrete supplies or gravel options. Our team has over 10 years of experience in the industry, meaning we can advise you on which materials will be best for your next project.

In addition to aggregate supplies, we also provide a leading grab and tipper hire service. This means we can collect and dispose of your site waste as well as providing aggregate excavations. We offer both day rates and longer term contracts, so you can find the solution that works best for you.

Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our quarry aggregates, or to enquire about our grab and tipper solutions.